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Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Holland bumps Harden to bullpen

The fifth spot in the Texas Rangers’ rotation is switching again, this time from the right arm of Rich Harden to the left arm of Derek Holland.

Harden agreed Monday to move to the bullpen, effective immediately, and Holland will be the Rangers’ starter Friday at Minnesota after they enjoy their first off day in 20 games.

Later in the article, there’s this, which I found amusing:

Manager Ron Washington decided that Hamilton needed a day as the designated hitter after batting practice to rest some minor aches and pains. Vladimir Guerrero hopped into right field, Murphy went to center and Cruz to left.

sptaylor Posted: August 31, 2010 at 12:46 PM | 12 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: rangers

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1. Spivey Posted: August 31, 2010 at 05:40 PM (#3630929)

Rich Harden's really fell apart. I don't know if he has a good season, as a starter, left in him.

2. Vance W Posted: August 31, 2010 at 06:23 PM (#3630972)

With his level of "command" there is a fine line between being effectively wild or simply ineffective. Too often he has just been ineffective. But there is some raw stuff still there and the good news for Harden is that he has been healthy, except for a mysterious gluteous injury that probably had more to do with the state of the Ranger's roster than the state of Harden's rear end. It's just possible that he can regain enough command to be an effective starter again.

It's hard to see how he is going to help much in the bullpen. I guess if you absolutely, positively have to have a strikeout in the fifth inning, he would be the guy to call.

Fifth starter doesn't seem to be much of an issue for the Rangers anyway. The Division appears in the bag and they can shorten the rotation in the playoffs.

3. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: August 31, 2010 at 06:24 PM (#3630973)

Is Guerrero really bad on defense now? I guess I figured he DHed to not get hurt.

4. Ron Johnson Posted: August 31, 2010 at 06:38 PM (#3630991)

#3 I think he's been too banged up to be effective in the field for a few years.

And since he's hitting, why mess with anything.

5. Hang down your head, Tom Foley Posted: August 31, 2010 at 06:42 PM (#3630995)

My first thought: Al Holland's still pitching?

I'm a very old man.

6. rLr Is King Of The Romans And Above Grammar Posted: August 31, 2010 at 06:50 PM (#3631003)

And since he's hitting, why mess with anything.

The thing is, he hasn't hit in two months.

7. Vance W Posted: August 31, 2010 at 07:31 PM (#3631027)

Guererro slumped after the break but he's doing better now. He hasn't disgraced himself on defense. Vlad is faster than he looks (although not nearly as fast as he thinks he is; he runs into some ridiculous outs on the bases) and still has a pretty good arm. The Rangers rarely use him in the field because they don't want to risk injury. If they make it to the world series, I imagine we will see him in the outfield in the non-DH games.

8. jwb Posted: August 31, 2010 at 08:30 PM (#3631083)

Delta flies to Dallas.

9. Spivey Posted: August 31, 2010 at 08:54 PM (#3631100)

Vlad isn't terrible on defense, but he's a lot worse than a healthy Hamilton, Borbon, Cruz, or Murphy.

10. Vance W Posted: August 31, 2010 at 10:22 PM (#3631151)

True, but he's a substantial offensive upgrade over Murphy or especially Borbon. In a game in a National League park you would probably take the defensive hit and play Vlad. If you take the lead you can always sub in Borbon.

11. AJM Posted: August 31, 2010 at 10:44 PM (#3631163)

Delta flies to Dallas.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE

12. Infinite Yost (Voxter)

Posted: August 31, 2010 at 11:22 PM (#3631184)

I think it's pretty clear that Guerrero's a problem on defense now. He's not as slow as his weird gait makes him look, but he was never the most instinctive outfielder, and now that he's lost about 60% of his speed there's not a lot to distinguish him from Bobby Abreu out there.

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Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Holland bumps Harden to bullpen

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